Hydration: Leg cramps can also be caused by insufficient intakes of fluids. It can also be due to a high intake of fiber-containing foods which use up our fluids. You should always monitor your water intake and try adding more fluids into your diet if you notice cramps are an ongoing issue. A couple of liters of water a day is a good goal to aim for depending on your fiber intake.
Acupuncture: In Chinese medicine, the evenings are Yin time and so the Yin substance, being blood, is often indicated in problems confined to night time. The tricky part here is that we are not talking about overt blood deficiency that may show up on a blood analysis. We are talking about a need to optimize blood circulation. Acupuncture can easily accomplish this and I have had great success with it. It opens up various channels through which blood can effectively flow to the legs. Having a few sessions of acupuncture from a qualified practitioner may help eliminate the cramps for good!
Massage: Along the same vein as acupuncture, massages can be used to stimulate blood flow and help circulation in tissues that are not adequately replenished. This is due to the squeezing and compressing actions of massage therapy which act like the beating of your heart in ensuring blood flow to the tissues. You can easily massage your legs by compressing your muscles using your thumbs and fingers. If you notice any points which are more tender than other areas then spend more time with your thumbs in these places. These areas of tenderness could represent trigger points and applying firm pressure on them, although temporarily painful, can help release the tension. Once released, you will notice that these once tender points are now softer and less painful. Massaging your muscles is also a great way of connecting with and showing kindness to your body.
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